ASTON, PA.—Sister Trinita Balbach, a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 70 years, died March 13. She was 91.
Sister Trinita spent four years in the Diocese of Charleston, where she taught at St. Paul the Apostle School in Spartanburg and Our Lady of Peace School in North Augusta. She also served as principal of St. Joseph School in Anderson.
All services were held in Assisi House on March 18. Burial was in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery.
Sister Trinita was born Helen Marie Balbachin in Wilmington, Del., where she was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle and a graduate of Wilmington High School. She entered the congregation in 1943 and professed her vows in 1946. Sister Trinita earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md., and a master’s in educational administration from Loyola College in Baltimore.
Sister Trinita ministered for many years in various parts of Florida. She spent 27 years in the Diocese of Venice serving as teacher, principal, and coordinator of parish ministry to the sick and homebound. She was also assistant director and school advisor with the George and Mary Kremer Foundation, which provided financial help for students in Catholic schools. She spent 13 years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore teaching.
In 2011, Sister Trinita moved to Our Lady of Angels Convent, the congregation’s motherhouse in Aston, where she volunteered in the congregation’s foundation office. In 2012, she moved to Assisi House where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
She is survived by her sisters, Frances Balbach, Franciscan Sister Helena Joseph, nieces and nephews, and her Franciscan family. Donations in her name may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
